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In Reply to: Two very different points of view. posted by driver8 on April 23, 2007 at 10:22:50:
"... if Mr. Armstrong was “in the room”, it would be no big deal. Lots of systems can achieve that illusion. No, what I was hearing was much more than that – I was witnessing genius. Louis was telling the story in a way that was compelling and ravishing. Spellbinding. His phrasing and articulation was astounding. Moving. Engrossing...."Wow! Not only did he get to listen to a TT that's- "...only about $100,000. Made in Australia. Australia!" with "aching feet and lack of sleep", at a TRADE SHOW but he found out that Mr. Armstrong DID record in stereo ( that particular LP being a recognized gem of an audiophile recording for some 20 years...) and lo, and behold! - he discovered that Armstrong's "phrasing and articulation was astounding". What a sterling day for this writer!
Imagine how he would feel about Armstrong's astounding phrasing and articulation played on a Okeh Hot Five 78! Oh, wait, you couldn't play one of those on that "not the best looking TT", and it certainly wouldn't be in stereo...
Nothing like getting a glowing/gushing report on high end gear from a music history novice. Akin to an eight year old "discovering" the Beatles played through a Bose Wave system: "WOW! They are SO good! That sounds so AWESOME".
Zzzzzzzzz
"I always play jazz records backwards, they sound better that way"
-Thomas Edison
Follow Ups:
and general ingnorance regarding the brilliance of Louis Armstrong. Live and learn. Cut the guy some slack.
Why?He's reporting his views and experiences with some VERY expensive equipment and is completely bowled over by "discovering" an artist he's previously not familiar enough with? Two seperate experiences that need to be approached that way.
Like I said, it's akin to an eight year old "discovering" the Beatles on a Bose Wave system: They sound SO GOOD, and they can SING too! They never really "heard" the Beatles before, nor a source as good as the Wave.
IF he'd heard the Armstrong recording on a "familiar" system and been equally blown away by the PERFORMANCE, that's one thing. IF he'd heard a familiar recording on the reveiwed system and was blown away by the SYSTEM, that's another thing.
Hearing that particular Armstrong performance on that TT didn't magically make it a superior performance - THAT performance has alwayd been in them grooves and available to enlighten through any decent system. Maybe it DID sound "better" on that system, but where is the reviewers point of reference?
Some semblance of objectivity should be used when reporting on expensive, high end equipment, if not ALL equipment. Reviewing equipment shouldn't be influenced by "discovering" how great a historically well established artist is at the same time as auditioning new equipment.
While there is no ideal time for enlightment - it should be welcome with open mind whenever granted - the "live and learn" aspect of this reviewer's rise from ignorance and preconceived notions would be considerably more appreciated seperate from a review of a $100,000 turntable.
Even if "it's not the best looking table". And made in Australia.
"I always play jazz records backwards, they sound better that way"
-Thomas Edison
It's about impressions. He was enlightened by the brilliance of Louis Armstrong on that recording on that system. That's all there is to it. It's crystal clear that the writer's intent was not to provide an in-depth analysis and assessment of the variables involved in his epiphany. Whether he is capable of doing so is moot.
.
Anyone who would write "is that the best they can come up with for a vocal?" about Louis Armstrong is too f%$&ing stupid and shallow to be commenting on music, sound, or anything else.
I missed that comment the first go 'round. Wow! I don't know WHAT to say!!! That degree of ignorance is beyond description.
"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain
N/T
"I always play jazz records backwards, they sound better that way"
-Thomas Edison
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